December 24, 2024

1902: Waimarino County

By Anarchist History of New Zealand

Waimarino County came into existence by its own Act of Parliament on 2 October, 1902. The Waimarino block, located at the foot of Mount Ruapehu, had enough settlers to have transitioned from Settler frontier, to Road Board, to County. By 1918 they had their own County Offices at the County Seat of Raetihi but it was destroyed […]

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December 24, 2024

Rakaia Ripoff

By NZB3

How about half million dollars for a government mini-golf course in Rakaia? Ashburton District Council are making a ridiculous demand on their tax livestock. If there was a market for such a thing why not suppose free people could come up with such a business? Do holes in the ground and some astroturf from the […]

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December 20, 2024

1642: New Zealand’s First Christmas

By Anarchist History of New Zealand

On the night before Christmas, 1642, the danger of losing it troubled more than a few.  The Twelve Days of Christmas were due to begin, but in Protestant nations the future looked thin. Now Scotland, now England, now German and Swiss! The Christmas tradition faced the abyss! The Wokesters of their day, the Puritans, the […]

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December 20, 2024

1993: Wellington’s City to Sea Bridge

By Anarchist History of New Zealand

Wellington’s City to Sea Bridge (est.1993) was a creation of Paratene Matchitt from Napier (why can’t locals produce their own culture?) It cost $2,300,000 at the time. Matchitt indifferent to what the customer would think of it. Rather than relating to New Zealand, the expensive decorations look more like some heathen Aztec totem pole keeled […]

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December 19, 2024

1893: Greymouth-Hokitika Line

By Anarchist History of New Zealand

Today in history, 18 December, 1893, the Greymouth-Hokitika line was finally opened. Started in the late 1870s much of it had been completed so long ago it was rusting and buckling and the hope of ever seeing a train was a joke. Technically the line had been opened by Premier Seddon in June but governments […]

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December 18, 2024

1947: Kaitaia Airport

By Anarchist History of New Zealand

Kaitaia Airport opened on 21 January, 1947.¹ Prior to this it had been Awanui Aerodrome which was created to support the Pacific War efforts by New Zealand and US Forces. The land was purchased from a portion of a Dalmatian farmer’s land for the war effort. Millions were invested to make it a Pacific air […]

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December 17, 2024

1954: BNZ Drive-In Bank

By Anarchist History of New Zealand

Today in New Zealand history, 16 December, 1954, our first drive-in bank: BNZ on the corner of Vivian and Taranaki Streets, Wellington CBD. “New Zealand’s first Motor Bank.” Trust something like this to come from the Everest Dignity Culture era of our history. It was a High time, a “First Turning,” the “Summer Afternoon” of […]

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December 16, 2024

1962: Memorial Park Fountain

By Anarchist History of New Zealand

Today in New Zealand history, December 15, 1962, Memorial Park Fountain in Tauranga was unveiled. “12 jet formations and 8 different light changes,” and “volunteers gave up 5000 hours of their time over 27 weekends to build it.” – Tauranga Historical Society That’s proper New Zealand High Kiwis doing things for themselves rather than letting […]

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December 15, 2024

1902: Taipo Explosives Ltd.

By Anarchist History of New Zealand

A new article in the Otago Daily Times reveals a bit of Dunedin history by John Lewis. Mostly the information is directly cribbed from from this Gumtree listing (aka “Australian online antique auction site” but really just Aussie Trade Me.) It concerns a fairly common old drinking flask but with engravings relevant to our history. […]

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December 14, 2024

Hyperscale Data Centre

By NZB3

This just in about the new Hyperscale Data Centre coming to Westgate, West Auckland. Apparently the woman pulling the strings (or public-facing) is Vanessa Sorenson. Was only half-listening to her “interview” (really PR for ZB and probably comes with a recepit….) and forgot why I hit play. It was because I’m interested in West Auckland […]

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December 13, 2024

“Christopher Luxon says he wants nothing to do with the Greens while he’s Prime Minister. “

By NZB3

These two (image left) are gone now. At least I hope so. Rod Carr just left the Climate Change Commission and James Shaw got out of the Green Party earlier in the year. Interestingly, I had a hunch that Shaw might have had a place in this Ministry. While doing the round in the media […]

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December 13, 2024

1958: Three Kings Carols by Candlelight

By Anarchist History of New Zealand

Three Kings Carols by Candlelight est.1958 was a Mount Roskill Borough Council initiative. Back then local government was local and Auckland had 20-something mayors. Borough Mayor Keith Hay made dramatic structural changes in this era (First Turning) and Mount Roskill became New Zealand’s largest borough. “CAROLS NAME CHANGE Disappointed to read in your paper that […]

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December 13, 2024